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Friday, September 20, 2013

Ichabod

In the Walt Disney animated version of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, poor 'ole Ichabod Crane was chased by the evil Headless Horseman to great extremes. But was he? Or was he so consumed with superstition and fear that he allowed it to overtake him?

We can't afford to be like Ichabod. We need to have our armor on at all times; when we sleep, when we're awake, when we drive, when we shop, and even when we sit down for meals. No matter where we are, we need to be prepared. Why? Because we are at war!

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. ~Ephesians 6:12, NLT

Sitting in church, listening to the powerful words of my pastor, I was reminded how tragic it becomes when we no longer fight for what Jesus paid in full for us to have! We allow people and our government to overtake us. We allow the opinions of others to intimidate us. We allow sickness to ravage us. And all along, we only had but to speak the name of Jesus and those things which would control us would once again come under our submission!

It sounds "too good to be true" doesn't it? Well, it isn't! It is truth. And where truth is, darkness and lies have to flee. And where truth is there is freedom! However, we often act like Ichabod and run when we should turn, raise our Swords, and fight!

Many times we cry out for prayer, prayer, prayer, when all we have to do is STAND. I'm not saying asking for prayer is a bad thing. Because the more prayer, the more of God's warriors are standing and backing up their brothers and sisters in Christ. What I AM saying is that any time we hear bad news, or something bad happens, we cower and accept those things as truth, when in reality they are lies.

The truth is found in God's Word. And HE says that we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37)! HE says that "no weapon formed against us shall prosper, and every tongue that rises against you shall fall (Isaiah 54:17)!" HE says that by HIS stripes we are healed (1 Peter 2:24)! HE says that He has plans for us, and those plans are not to harm us, but to give us hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11)! Yet we still cower. We still hem-haw around. We still question if God is really for us. Why are we not believing God? Why are we believing all the lies of the enemy?

What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? ~Romans 8:31, NLT

We need to put our armor back on and fight like the warriors God intended for us to be. Instead of running in terror from our headless horseman, we need to turn, raise our Swords, and strike true and sure with the Word of God. We need to say, "Get behind me, Satan!" Because once we do that, he has to flee (James 4:7). When we draw near to God, He will draw closer to us, and when we ask for His help, He gives it. No questions asked.

Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. ~Ephesians 6:13-17, NLT

You who are reading this right now have been commissioned by the Lord to do something. It just popped back into your mind and heart when you read that. Only you and the Holy Spirit know what that is. Why are you still sitting there? Get up! Put your armor on and go to war! You WILL win! Yes, the battle is already won, but you have to maintain the victory! You have to keep your armor on, stand your ground, and keep all the headless horsemen at bay.

Ichabod Crane believed that once he crossed the bridge that the Horseman had no more power. Let me tell you right now that the enemy has no power at all, bridge or no bridge! But if you give it to him, he certainly will take it. Then he will make you miserable. So stop giving it to him!

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are. ~1 Peter 5:8-9, NLT (emphasis mine)

Yes, we will come under attack. Our job is to back one another up. Our job is to stand firm. Stay strong in your faith. When you see a brother or sister who is struggling, back them up! We have Christ's back. His stripes gave us our freedom. But don't leave a warrior behind. Don't leave someone in battle alone. Back them up!

Tell me, Loves, are you an Ichabod...or are you are Warrior?

*All pictures used by permission. I do not own the copyright to any of them.

16
comments:

Shelley, what a powerful post. I'd love to hear your halftime speech as a football coach--the guys would bust down the doors trying to get back on the field. Seriously, you energized me and reminded me of truths that were dormant. Thank you.

I've not actually heard the story, but sure have heard of it. I know we have a spiritual war raging and sometimes forget the power within me. I know on occasions that I have weird sensations while dreaming and I will call out the name Jesus over and over till it's gone. It's weird and I don't understand what's going on, but it must be some kind of attack. Thanks for the reminder.

Thank you all for those encouraging words! Susan, I don't know about a halftime speech... I just write what God puts on my heart to say. And I was energized when I wrote that, so...GO TEAM!

J'nell, I grudgingly admit that I, too, can be an Ichabod at times. But less and less here lately. You just have to stand your ground, sister! Just stand!

Barbara, here is the YouTube link someone posted to Part 1 of the Disney movie. There are 4 parts & these videos were really great. Hope you'll watch them all. It's a really cute video. http://youtu.be/2muJDGdakCcJust know that when you come under spiritual attack, all you have to do is resist and stand your ground with the Word of God! ;-]

Thank you, Susan! I am so humbled. Absolutely finish your day in fighting mode! Keep that armor on. Wear it under your jammies, under your clothes, on top of your clothes, however...just wear it...all the time! Way to go sister! ;-]

Never saw the movie, but thank you for this post! I admit to going about my day in my own little world, and I forget that there's spiritual warfare going on until a sword clangs against my helmet. Thanks for spurring on the troops, Shelley! Were you a cheerleader in high school?

LoL, Dora! No, I wasn't a cheerleader in high school...I was one in 6th grade though! Haha! I was a baton twirler & drum major in high school. My "cheerleading" now comes from the Holy Spirit. I wasn't like this a couple years ago. Honestly! ;-]

About Me

Shelley Wilburn lives in Southern Illinois on a small piece of land she and her husband refer to as their Rinky Dink Farm. She is the author of the Walking Healed books, several articles, blog posts and book reviews. She has guest blogged for other blogs, co-authored devotionals, and spoken at various women’s gatherings.
Shelley has a unique healing testimony and finds great pleasure in helping to encourage, educate and inspire others to find hope, health and healing through her Walking Healed ministry.
Shelley is married to her high school sweetheart, D.A. They have three grown, married children, children-in-law, five grandsons and one granddaughter. They love raising chickens, having fun and taking impromptu trips to the mountains and secret getaways.
You can follow Shelley on her blog and social media pages; Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter. You can also get firsthand updates on her books and new releases by signing up for her newsletter and following her on her Amazon Author page.